Stories from the Soul: Emerging Curator Exhibition
Stories from the Soul: Emerging Curator Exhibition is an innovative art exhibition designed to foster meaningful dialogue between artists of diverse backgrounds. Curated by OPAL Artist Resident Shanelle Harrison, this show will feature invited artists whose works reflect personal narratives, cultural heritage, and unique life experiences, a vibrant tapestry of voices, presenting artworks from artists of diverse backgrounds, ages, and styles. Each piece tells an authentic narrative, reflecting the artists’ unique cultures, identities, and personal journeys.
Four incredible artists from around the country, including Chicago, Detroit, Texas, and South Carolina, have been invited by the curator to share their personal narratives, life stories, and unique artistic perspectives.
Kenish Harmon, Painter @that_art_nerd Charleston,SC
Sehrish Hussain, Interdisciplinary Artist @sehrishhart Detroit, MI
Shanelle Harrison, Interdisciplinary Artist @intellect.art Chicago, IL
Juan Cruz, Painter @j_cruz_artist19 Dallas, TX
Opening Reception: Saturday, August 16 from 1-4pm
Artist Talk: Saturday, August 16 at 2pm
Shanelle Harrison is a contemporary narrative artist and wreathmaker renowned for her innovative Print-Craft fusion techniques and evocative wreath-making. With a deep commitment to preserving and celebrating oral history, Harrison’s artistic practice is rooted in the belief that storytelling is vital to keeping our ancestors’ spirits alive. In her work, she ritualizes the acts of collecting, preserving, and commemorating stories, reflecting a profound exploration of personal loss and collective memory.
Harrison’s art is a journey through the fragments of her past, capturing the essence of her grief and transformation. Each piece she creates is a testament to her experiences and emotions, crafted to safeguard the remnants of her history against a broader culture of erasure. Her practice is an act of both mourning and commemoration, with a particular focus on the healing potential of public grief and shared remembrance.
Recently, Shanelle received a Fulbright Research Award for her project titled "Black Power in the Pacific: The Intersectionality of Oppressed 'Black' Cultures and Liberation through Commemoration and Storytelling," She is a 2021 Independent Artist Awardee from the Maryland State Arts Council. Recently, Shanelle exhibited work for her solo show “Feeling Out Loud” Chroma Contemporary Arts Center in Detroit, Michigan, The Cumberland Valley Artists’ juried exhibition at The Washington County Museum of Fine Arts in Hagerstown, Maryland, The Charles H. Wright Museum in Detroit, MI and The American Hungarian Foundation in New Brunswick, New Jersey. In 2019, Shanelle earned her B.A. from Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD and in 2024 earned her MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, MI.
